Three face life in jail over killing of lab technician

Tuesday 11 May 2010 12:16 BST

Two men and a 16-year-old boy who stabbed a public school lab technician to death in his home are facing life sentences next month.

Anthony Fernandes, 46, was murdered after he refused to let his killers stay the night at his one-bedroom flat in Croydon. He was stabbed 17 times with four knives and was attacked with such force that one of the blades snapped in half.

The Old Bailey heard that Mr Fernandes, who worked at Epsom College, was seen as an "easy touch" by Paul Maddix, 44, Darren Listen, 27, and the teenager, who cannot be named because of his age.

The attackers kicked their way into his home after a drinking binge at a nearby park.Maddix, who made a 999 call from the scene, confessed and admitted murder.